Jen Cruz’s first release for Ben Sims’ Hardgroove imprint is the four-track ‘Criteria’ EP which is released on December 12th, 2025. Tarragona-born and Barcelona-raised, Cruz has made a name for herself in the city’s clubs over the past eight years while translating that rep overseas via releases on LW Recordings and Raw Quarter DGTL. Having recently played a Hardgroove showcase at Razzmatazz, Cruz first release for the long-running Hardgroove label is well-timed.
Kicking off with ‘Without Criteria’, Cruz’s ‘Criteria’ EP oozes energy and movement. From the cascading stabs of the opener to the rattling percussion and vocal clips of ‘Yes To Everything’, Cruz has a knack for the memorable without sacrificing depth or pace. Even when stripping things back in ‘Own Your Voice’ or taking a more full-on approach in ‘It’s All About Music’, this is an artist firmly in charge of her tools.
Jen Cruz’s ‘Criteria’ EP is released on Hardgroove on December 12th.